Tom O'Connor takes temporary charge as Ireland name squad for US friendly

Performance Director Ruud Dokter says the FAI want to have a permanent manager of the Republic of Ireland women's team in place before the start of their European Championship qualifying campaign in September.

Colin Bell's former assistant Tom O'Connor will take charge of a 20-person squad for next week's friendly with the United States in California. It follows Bell's sudden departure for Huddersfield Town earlier this summer.

Florida University striker Heather Payne returns to the squad for the game with the recently-crowned world champions at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Payne missed April's friendly with Italy.

However, there's no Megan Campbell (Manchester City) or Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage) as both have club commitments.

The August 3rd friendly will be the United States' first game since they won the World Cup in France with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands.

O'Connor's looking forward to the challenge, "It has been a quick turnaround, but the offer to play the World Cup winners at the Rose Bowl was one the association couldn’t turn down.

"It will be a fantastic opportunity for the players. It’s set to be a great experience for them and one where they can test themselves against the best in the world.

"The game will also be a good challenge for the squad ahead of opening match of the European Championship qualifiers against Montenegro in September."

Dokter has no qualms about O'Connor taking the reins for such a high-profile game, "Tom O’Connor is taking the team as interim manager and as a coach under the previous manager he knows the team very well.

"We are in the process of appointing a new manager, which we intend to do very soon. We want to have the new manager in position before the European Championship qualifier in September.”